The Redemption Engine by James L. Sutter is a novel set in the Pathfinder universe. I am completely new
to Pathfinder, so I can say with
assurance that this book requires no prior knowledge to enjoy. A basic
understanding of conventions like the axes of chaos vs. law and different
dimensions might lower the learning curve, but Sutter does an excellent job of playing both sides: this story is
simultaneously one that a newcomer can enter into with no trouble and one that
delves so deeply into the Pathfinder
universe that longtime Pathfinder
players and readers won't be bored, either.

Pathfinder is a classic high fantasy
universe, and yet at the same time it's anything but. Longtime fantasy readers
will recognize familiar tropes, but Sutter
doesn't let any assumption stand untested or uncomplicated. In many ways The Redemption Engine reads almost like
urban fantasy, because the city of Kaer
Maga is absolutely essential and integral to everything that occurs and is
almost a character in and of itself. Not only that, our protagonist Salim is sort of fulfilling the role of
a private investigator with magic — except that he's
actually been tasked by a goddess he despises.

I
have rarely read a book with each setting so completely fleshed out: thoroughly
gorgeous descriptions and thoroughly problematized conflicts. This story
examines its characters' and worlds' assumptions at every turn. If you are
feeling starved for high fantasy with diverse characters, definitely check this
out, too. Kaer Maga is many things,
but homogenous and predictable are not among them.

My
absolutely favorite aspect of this book is that free will is at the center of
the story. What free will is in a world with gods, what that means to different
people, why it's never simple, and how free will is at the core of all the
choices and conflict in this story. Salim
has a pretty solid understanding of himself and his choices at the start of
this story, but by the end his understanding has deepened and changed. I've
seen enough empowered protagonists stagnate that I really appreciate one who
starts competent and yet still gets a strong character growth arc.

If
you love exploring detailed settings with diverse characters, philosophical
quandaries, and sorcerous battles, check out The Redemption Engine.